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How long can I take off between OTR jobs?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by theseeker, May 3, 2012.

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  1. May 3, 2012 #1
    theseeker

    theseeker Light Load Member

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    Aug 15, 2011
    Chicago, IL
    0
    I want to start an OTR trucking career, but I'm debating doing it now or in 6 months to 3 years from now. I'm debating between two paths:

    (1) Start career now with a company that will pay for my schooling to get the CDL. Work out the contract, which I guess is a year generally. (Correct me if I'm wrong.) If COBRA health insurance still exists--did the Obama health care act wipe this out?--then work long enough to COBRA into continuing health insurance. Then go to Asia to study meditation for about 6 months to 3 years. Then, what would I need to do to continue my OTR career? Would I essentially have to start over? Would I be viewed as having 1 year of experience if I worked in that initial stint for a year, or would all employers say, "Nope. Your experience was too long ago. You're too out of practice/the rules have changed too much. You're a rookie again. In fact, we're even skeptical about your CDL. You may legally possess it, but you're so out of practice that, effectively, you don't even have a license. You've got to repeat the training all over again."

    (2) Do Asia/meditation first. I'll have virtually no money, which will suck BIG TIME. Then, return to the US, and start the OTR career then. Plan on just the usual, short vacations like everybody else. Maybe take a longer one between my stint at the first company I end up working for and the second (but probably not more than 3 months).

    That's my basic question. Any thoughts? Please don't waste your time commenting on whether meditation is valuable. It's the trucking stuff I'm asking about.

    Thanks.
     
    theseeker, May 3, 2012
    theseeker, May 3, 2012
    #1
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  3. May 3, 2012 #2
    JasonL

    JasonL Light Load Member

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    Sep 1, 2009
    El Paso, TX
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    It's situational dependant. If you currently have your CDL, maintain it... If you don't currently have your CDL, the only issue is your current financial situation and commitments. If you have a good amount of USD saved, go to Pattaya, Thailand and meditate; you will thank me later... Don't spend all of your dollars and when you feel "refreshed", come back to boring farangland (US) and start stacking your $$$ again...
     
    JasonL, May 3, 2012
    JasonL, May 3, 2012
    #2
  4. May 3, 2012 #3
    CommDriver

    CommDriver Road Train Member

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    Dec 9, 2006
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    Your plan would work, conceivably. COBRA is still available, but you would only be able to use it for a year after you leave the job. Also, it is very expensive. For a single person, it is going to run $500-600+ a month, under most plans.

    But, my guess is that after a year of OTR, if you survive that, all of your plans and your total outlook on life will change. You may still want to go meditate in Asia. Or you may want to spend your extra time and money getting trained for another job, or more education.

    And most companies would not hire you if you haven't been OTR for a year or more. Especially, if you have only 1 year experience. Some don't want any break more than 6 months. Others here will know that number more specifically.
     
    CommDriver, May 3, 2012
    CommDriver, May 3, 2012
    #3
  5. May 4, 2012 #4
    theseeker

    theseeker Light Load Member

    55
    5
    Aug 15, 2011
    Chicago, IL
    0
    OK. That's the answer to my question! Does anybody else agree or disagree: If I take a break from OTR for more than 6 months, I'll have a problem getting hired again.
     
    theseeker, May 4, 2012
    theseeker, May 4, 2012
    #4
  7. May 4, 2012 #5
    misterG

    misterG Road Train Member

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    If you have experience of more than 1 year, in the last 3, you might be OK. Though that may change between now and then.
    Go to Asia now, then come home and get a job.
    Than you don't have the problem of lacking experience hanging over your head at a later date.
     
    misterG, May 4, 2012
    misterG, May 4, 2012
    #5
    Tazz Thanks this.
  8. May 4, 2012 #6
    Tazz

    Tazz Road Train Member

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    What he said.
     
    Tazz, May 4, 2012
    Tazz, May 4, 2012
    #6
  9. May 4, 2012 #7
    pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    Sioux City,ia
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    I would go to Asia first then get your CDL.Otherwise you'll probably have to get recertified and why spend that money to do so and why do a yr with a company and have to leave them to go to Asia.It would basically be all that time wasted.I mean if this is what you truely wanna do then make sure you have no obsticles standing in your way.
     
    pattyj, May 4, 2012
    pattyj, May 4, 2012
    #7
  10. May 4, 2012 #8
    Gizmo_Man

    Gizmo_Man Road Train Member

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    If you drive, then go away, and come back, you WILL START ALL OVER AGAIN.

    Changes have been taking place nearly every day in this industry. Who is to say that when you come back, after NOT have been driving for X number of months, your license will still be valid??

    There are new requirements that YOU MUST take your DOT long form to the DMV as proof that you are medically qualified. You MUST DO THIS, EACH TIME you renew your DOT physical. So now, you stay away for what, 3 years?? But the DOT physical is only good for 2 years, so you miss the date, and your CDL will be DOWNGRADED.

    You wanna face all the BS in getting it back again??

    Good luck, but meditation IS NOT as IMPORTANT as a job.
     
    Gizmo_Man, May 4, 2012
    Gizmo_Man, May 4, 2012
    #8
  11. May 4, 2012 #9
    MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    just go to Asia and start driving.....

    If you come back, you come back....
     
    MNdriver, May 4, 2012
    MNdriver, May 4, 2012
    #9
    Tazz Thanks this.
  12. May 4, 2012 #10
    Tazz

    Tazz Road Train Member

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    Lynchburg,Tn
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    I was watching Top Gear from India and China today:biggrin_25521:

    Makes you look forward to Chicago rush hour:biggrin_25523:
     
    Tazz, May 4, 2012
    Tazz, May 4, 2012
    #10
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